Top 11 Trade Schools in Connecticut: Find A New Vocation
Trade schools in Connecticut offer great opportunities for students who want to pursue a rewarding career in high-demand industries. Over the average cost of college, affordable tuition offered by these programs can save you thousands compared to 4-year degree programs. Students who don’t want to spend years pursuing a degree or those who do not have enough resources can benefit from these programs.
Trade schools equip them with the necessary skill they need to get entry-level jobs in high-demand industries. However, choosing a trade school may require a lot of effort. To help you save time, this article discusses the best trade school options you have in Connecticut.
Best Trade Schools in Connecticut
Check out some of the best trade schools in Connecticut that offer a wide variety of associate degrees, certificates, and workforce development programs. You can choose to transfer to a bachelor’s degree or begin a career in your chosen field after the completion of these programs.
1. Porter and Chester Institute
Through education and training that is based on industry standards and is student-centered, the Porter and Chester Institute assists students in gaining the technical and professional skills required for their chosen careers. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure has granted permission for the institute, and the Connecticut Office of Higher Education has granted it a license.
The programs offered include automotive technology, automotive technology Worcester, career industrial, commercial and residential electrician, electrical technology, HVACR, low voltage technology, plumbing, welding, computer-aided drafting and design, computer and network technology, dental assisting, medical assisting, and practical nursing. The school also offers several continuing education programs in computer, healthcare, marketing, solar, and veterinary.
Federal Pell Grants, federal supplemental educational opportunity grants (FSEOG), and scholarships are some of the financial aid options available for students. The school has a dedicated career services team to help you with career training, guidance, and support. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) has recognized Porter and Chester Institute and granted it accreditation. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) has granted the Medical Assisting programs accreditation.
2. Connecticut School of Broadcasting
The Connecticut School of Broadcasting offers a variety of trade programs and takes a new approach to teaching. The school provides an online and on-campus accelerated curriculum created for the media, arts, entertainment, and technology industries. These programs can be completed in 8 or 16 weeks, depending on how you choose to take the program.
The programs offered include broadcast media, web development, filmmaking, and social media marketing. The school places a strong focus on helping students solve problems, learn through experience, and develop their creative thinking and ideas. The teachers give you individualized attention through small class sizes.
You will utilize the same tools and software that industry experts use beginning with your first day of school. They assist you in preparing for job interviews, polishing your résumé, and creating your demo. Students get the chance to network with other students, recent grads, and business professionals who share their enthusiasm for the broadcast media sector. The school offers Veteran assistance.
3. Asnuntuck Community College
Asnuntuck Community College offers 19 associate degree programs and 23 college credit certificate programs in high-demand fields such as the automotive and healthcare industries. The courses offer options for job advancement, lifelong learning, and transfer. Students get individualized support services to advance their capacity for critical thought, boost their self-esteem, and promote personal development.
The school offers programs in business & hospitality, health careers, healthcare & personal services licensure careers, humanities & creative arts, manufacturing, industry, & technical careers, STEM, social and & behavioral sciences, education, & public service. Some of the technical programs include electronic technology, machine technology option, energy management, a certificate in advanced welding, an electro-mechanical maintenance certificate, and many more.
Through partnerships with businesses, industry, and the community, the school supports workforce and community development. The various financial aid options offered by Asnuntuck Community College to eligible students include scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and more.
4. Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Located in Winsted, Connecticut, Northwestern Connecticut Community College provides access to opportunities for lifelong learning while addressing the needs of the community and the individual in a nurturing setting. For all current and former students of Northwestern Connecticut Community College, the NCCC Academic Success Centre offers Career Services. The school provides information about internship opportunities, jobs, and employment trends, to aid in the decision-making process for choosing a career and a course of study.
The college offers numerous associate and certificate programs in a variety of fields, including Digital Media A.S., Business Administration A.S., Marketing and Sales A.S., Certificate in Computer Business Applications, Health Information Management A.S., Veterinary Technology A.S., Certificate in Medical Assistant, Early Childhood Education A.S., Certificate in Emergency Medical Technician, Computer Information System A.S., Certificate in Data Science, Allied Health Programs, and many more.
Students at the college can get financial benefits through various programs, including scholarships, grants, federal work-study programs, and more. The Board of Regents for Higher Education as well as the New England Commission of Higher Education, have both granted Northwestern Connecticut Community College accreditation.
5. Quinebaug Valley Community College
Beginning in 1946, Quinebaug Valley Community College gives people living in northeast Connecticut an excellent opportunity to study in a friendly, challenging, and affordable setting. You can obtain an associate’s degree, transfer to a four-year institution, start or enhance your job, or just enrich your life by continuing to learn throughout your life.
Students can choose from a wide variety of associate and degree programs offered by the school. Some of these include medical assisting, information systems, healthcare management, computer networking, medical laboratory technician, computer-aided design (CAD), mechatronics automation technician, phlebotomy, web design, cybersecurity, human services, advanced accounting, machine technology, senior network specialist, and many more.
The school offers various financial aid opportunities, including federal grants, PACT Grant, Connecticut State Grants, financial literacy, federal work-study, and institutional aid for veterans and undocumented students. The Career Services department helps with resume and cover letter development, interviewing skills, networking tips, and more. The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) has granted Quinebaug Valley Community College accreditation.
6. Naugatuck Valley Community College
Naugatuck Valley Community College is a two-year public school that grants associate’s degrees. It is a co-educational, non-residential college located in Waterbury, Connecticut. It is part of the 17 schools that make up Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU). For individuals seeking degrees and those dedicated to lifelong learning, Naugatuck Valley Community College provides an exciting educational experience.
Students can enroll in a variety of fields, including automotive technician, anthropology, accounting, communication, computer science, computer-aided design, business administrative support, cybersecurity, digital art technology, drug and alcohol recovery, criminal justice/public safety, electronic engineering technology, finance, horticulture, legal assistant, marketing, nursing, and healthcare training, among several others.
The school offers programs that lead to associate degrees that can be transferred to a 4-year bachelor’s degree and certificates. It also offers non-credit workforce education certificates. The school offers several financial aids, including merit-based aid, grants, work-study, and others. The Board of Regents for Higher Education in Connecticut oversees Naugatuck Valley Community College.
7. Manchester Community College
The goal of Manchester Community College is to consistently establish and improve the bar for community college education. Small class sizes, flexible schedules, technology-rich classrooms, a supportive learning environment, and affordable tuition make high-quality education available to anyone with a desire to pursue their chosen field. Students can choose to enroll in programs offered in the daytime, evening, weekend, and online classes.
Academic programs and majors offered at the college include accounting, biochemistry, business, biology, business office technology, computer game design, disability specialist, engineering science, health careers, hotel tourism management, psychology, liberal arts, human services, and social work, early childhood education, marketing, paralegal, fine visual arts, therapeutic recreation, and more. The workforce development training includes allied health, computer technology, and manufacturing.
The school offers financial aid in the form of grants such as Pell Grant and FSEOG, MCC grant, Roberta B. Willis Scholarship, federal work-study, PACT funding, scholarships, and merit-based aid. The school helps develop techniques for job searching, resume writing, and interviews. Programs are made to accommodate students’ various demands. The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the Board of Governors for Higher Education have accredited Manchester Community College.
8. Housatonic Community College
Located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Housatonic Community College provides certificate and associate degree programs with a focus on certain occupations, as well as associate degree programs to prepare students to move to four-year universities. The requirements of the community and individual students are met via short-term, non-credit seminars, workshops, and other educational opportunities.
The school offers associate degrees, associate degrees for transfer, certificates, and continuing & professional education programs. Some of these include human resource management, marketing, computer information system, foreign language concentration, multimedia option, medical assisting, surgical technology, communication studies, early childhood teaching credential studies, psychology studies, social work studies, criminal investigation, family engagement, behavioral healthcare specialist, machine technology, and many more.
The professional certification programs include Certified Nurse Aide, central sterile processing technician, community health worker, TEAS Exam prep, patient care technician, and more. Grants, federal work-study, private funds, and state, federal, and institutional funds are some of the financial aid options. Housatonic has received accreditation from both the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) and the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.
9. Post University
Located in Waterbury, Connecticut, Post University provides several flexible undergraduate programs. A hybrid on-campus and online format is also an option for students who choose to study all of their courses online. Students can live on campus, commute from home, or attend classes in the evenings and on weekends. They can also study on the traditional New England campus and get a taste of our vibrant culture and close-knit neighborhood.
Some of the programs offered include paralegal studies, human resource management, forensic accounting, registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing, equine veterinary assistant, accounting, management, legal studies, early childhood education, and criminal justice, along with several bachelor’s degree programs. The school also gives you the opportunity to customize the degrees to add a minor, pre-engineering, pre-law, and pre-health track.
The financial aid options offered include federal student aid, grants, scholarships, and other aid. The school also offers military benefits and payment options, including monthly, 3-monthly, 9-monthly, and others. To enhance students’ skills for prosperous careers, the school offers non-credit professional development courses to alumni, the general public, and current students. The school has received accreditation from the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) and also has program-based accreditation.
10. Middlesex Community College
Founded in 1966, Middlesex Community College provides students with a low-cost education that is complemented by small classes and devoted lecturers. The availability of cutting-edge tools and cutting-edge learning environments makes the college one of the top choices among students in the region. The school offers several services, including providing tutoring, help in finding a job, and other forms of aid.
Students can enroll in certificate and degree programs such as accounting assistant, accounting technician, biotechnology, business skills, child development, clinical coding, computed tomography, computer information technology, criminal justice, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, healthcare administration, help desk technician, magnetic resonance imaging, ophthalmic design & dispensing, and many more.
The workforce development programs include veterinary assistant, fundamentals of marine service, ParaEducator, computer technology & digital arts, certified nursing aide, emergency medical technician, and phlebotomy refresher, among several others. The school offers an individualized financial aid package. The school has received accreditation from the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE).
11. Southern Connecticut State University
At Southern Connecticut State University, you may identify your talents, embrace fresh career-focused possibilities, and build solid relationships with other Southerners. Your academic performance is supported by a large library, a cutting-edge science building, computer laboratories, and friendly study areas. Students can choose from a wide range of academic programs and certificates in a variety of niches.
The school offers several certificate programs, including accounting, assistive technology, applied statistics, computing foundation, data science, a bilingual extension program, educational leadership, geographic information systems, sustainability leadership, and Spanish and Latino cultures for health professionals. Other academic fields include art & design, communication disorders, journalism, social work, counseling & school psychology, public health, nursing, and marriage & family therapy, among several others.
Financial aid, which includes grants, scholarships, federal work-study, and loans, is designed to assist students in covering the costs of their tuition, fees, housing, food, transportation, books, and supplies. The New England Commission of Higher Education has granted Southern Connecticut State University accreditation.
Wrapping Up
Trade school programs in Connecticut offer students a lucrative way to begin a career in their desired field in the shortest time. While choosing a trade school, it is essential to look for accreditation. By being accredited by the NECHE, the colleges in Connecticut prove that it consistently fulfills or exceeds the standards for evaluating institutional excellence as determined by peer review.